Strengthening food security and income opportunities for rural families in Sri Lanka by supporting women in setting up home gardens.
The Sri Lanka Verein Hamburg e.V. was founded in 2005 as a non-profit organization and is committed to reducing poverty in Sri Lanka, promoting education, and strengthening intercultural exchange. The association supports projects for socio-economic improvement on site and maintains close contact with the local project coordination team.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the number of people living below the poverty line has risen significantly in recent years. Many families, especially in rural areas, are particularly affected by high prices for basic foodstuffs, fuel, electricity, and water. Significantly increased costs for artificial fertilizers and shortages of pesticides, fungicides, and other chemicals also make it difficult for them to achieve sufficient harvests.
The project aims to strengthen food security and income opportunities for poor rural families in Sri Lanka by promoting sustainable organic horticulture. In particular, women are to be empowered to establish and manage their own organic home gardens. Not only to provide for themselves in their daily lives, but also to produce chemical-free vegetables and fruit, improve yields and the efficient use of land, and generate additional income from surplus produce. Through training in organic gardening, composting, pest management, basic financial literacy, and positive thinking, the project not only contributes to healthy nutrition and the reduction of malnutrition, but also strengthens women's self-determination, family resilience, and harmony within village communities.
Inga Bethke-Brenken